Tailored treatment for chronic bowel disease is in sight
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue are some of the most common complaints in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The results from the research of biochemical scientist Archana Shubhakar offer perspective for this group.
Shubhakar et al. developed a method for discovering a biomarker in blood of IBD patients. The biomarker can predict whether someone with IBD has a high or low risk of developing a severe form of the disease. This can help doctors tailor treatment: stronger drugs and more intensive monitoring for high-risk patients, and regular care for low-risk patients.
Glycans
This research focused on the analysis of carbohydrates (also known as sugars or glycans) attached to proteins, which play an important role in human health and disease. Sugar molecules (glycans) attached to drugs affect how well they work and how long they stay in the body. Shubhakar et al.: “We have developed a method in which we have automated sample preparation and analysis for monitoring the glycans in blood serum . This method can be used to obtain a reliable picture of the glycans present in a short time.”
Validation
Although the exact time frame is uncertain, the discovered biomarker needs clinical validation, which may take a few more years for clinical implementation. The target groups that could work with it include pharmaceutical companies; with faster and more reliable methods to analyze glycans, they can develop safer and more effective drugs. New IBD biomarkers can also help doctors with better tools for diagnosis and treatment decisions. And ultimately, the patient benefits through personalized treatment approaches.
Fact: IBD is a chronic condition. 1 in 170 people in the Netherlands suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis or IBD-U).
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